It is known that Caco was raised by a family as a pet and was later sent to Curitiba Zoo, south of Brazil, and then to Sorocaba Zoo, countryside of São Paulo state. When he lived in the zoo in Sorocaba, he had serious psychiatric disorders and would severely self-mutilate, biting his legs and tearing off pieces of his own skin and muscles. 

For the zoo, Caco’s fate would be euthanasia, as he couldn’t improve under those living conditions. In 2002, he was taken to the sanctuary and his life changed completely. 

Caco underwent drug treatment, but the most important thing was living directly with the chimpanzee Jully and indirectly with other neighbors of the same species. This was fundamental and, within a few months, Caco showed a total improvement in his clinical condition. 

Since this pivotal moment, he no longer showed any signs of a psychiatric problem and lived peacefully with his companion Jully. Despite everything he had been through, Caco was very playful, curious and affectionate with his carers. He loved grooming and playing fetch, showing every day how happy he was to have been given another chance to live in peace and harmony, leaving his past suffering behind him.

He passed away on January 10, 2026.